Review - Public School Princess by Augusta Blythe

Title: Public School Princess

Author: Augusta Blythe

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 198

Published: July 23rd 2013 

ISBN: B00E4PL2KO

Source: Sent by author for honest review

Description: In the world of Hollister Bucksey-Breiten fame, money and power are as prevalent as plastic surgery. Sixteen-year-old Hollister is heiress to the Bucksey real estate empire on her mother's side, as well as a bonafide princess thanks to her deceased royal father. After her troubled mother heads yet again to rehab, the celebutante suddenly finds herself shipped from the privileged halls of Shotley Academy in Los Angeles to a backwoods New Jersey high school. Life at Franklin High isn't what Hollister expects. Instead of being worshiped by her lesser-blessed peers for the usual superficial reasons, Hollister feels ostracized because of them. With the help of her estranged brother and a few new friends, she discovers what's really important not only to her but about her, and that a good heart is her most valuable asset.

I Give This ...

I was a little worried that this one might be a little to teeny bopper for me.    But, I really enjoyed the author's previous works, so I was willing to give it a shot.  I was pleasantly surprised when I liked it!

I was surprised at how much I disliked Hollister at first.   She's rich, spoiled, and has all sorts of characteristics that just make her unlikeable.  Yes, part of it is all on her.  She thinks the world should revolve around her because of who she is and who her mother is.  She's use to being in the spotlight.  But, the interesting part for me was that she hates the way the media portrays her at time.  She's more than what the picture shows.  What she never stops to consider is that she can change that.

But then her mother ends up in hot water and a stint in rehab is the only way to circumvent jail time.  Hollister is shipped off to New Jersey were people barely know her name.  There's no paparazzi and nobody cares what she does, wears, etc.   Hollister has no idea how to be this other person.  At first, I thought this wasn't going to effect her at all.  She had herself convinced that it was just a short time away and that she could deal.  But, kids can be cruel and she learned the hard way the she really did need friends.

Through all of this, I loved the fact that she learned what true friendship meant.  She maybe grew up with the girls back home, but they had no idea what it meant to stand by someone through thick and thin.  Sometimes its the little gestures that mean the most.  She also discovers what she can do with all that money and power that she has.  It doesn't need to be wasted on parties and clothes.  It can be put to causes that matter.

The only part of the story that bugged me a little was when Hollister took one of her new friends for a makeover.  I know she was just trying to be nice because her friend had way less money to spend on herself.  But, it's the idea that she wasn't good enough the way she way.  She had this potential to be "pretty" but not the means to get there.  However, what Hollister did for her gave her a significant boost of confidence.  So, I had a hard time deciding how I really felt about it.

Augusta Blythe has a talent that is flying under the radar!  I hope I have the opportunity to read and review whatever she writes next.   

 

Review - Ravenstoke (Universe Unbound #2) by Augusta Blythe

Title: Ravenstoke

Author: Augusta Blythe

Series: 2nd (Winterborne)

Pages: ebook only

Published: December 4th 2011 

ASIN: B006IEXF1I

Source: sent for honest review

Description: In Winterborne, Loie and Mia's seventeenth birthdays brought more drama and surprises than they ever expected. Now, in Ravenstoke, they are adjusting to the aftermath and struggling to keep those newfound powers in check. When Andreas is called away to England under mysterious circumstances, a new guy is sent to Salcey Ridge in his place. Cian is smarmy and cocksure and Loie wants nothing more than to unleash a hellhound on him. Unfortunately, Cian isn't the only complication in their lives as the girls must also contend with the reappearance of Mr. Winterborne himself and Loie's most dreaded fear of all - a part in the school musical. Can the girls survive the rest of junior year unscathed?

I Give This ....

I don't normally have the best of luck with self published book.  But something about the first book in this series caught my attention, and I never looked back.  I was keeping my fingers crossed that Ravenstoke could carry the same punch that Winterborne did.  

I got lucky again!  If anything, I think this might have been better than the first book in the series.  At first, I was afraid it was going to be a book about Loie and her whining.  And felt bad that Andreas choose Mia over her, I really do.  But, I wanted her to get over it.  And then Andreas leaves the story for awhile and enter in Cian.  He was just what this story needed.  I loved him, even when I was convinced he was the bad guy (way before we even learn who he really is).  His intention never seemed to be aimed at hurting Cian and I loved how he called her Kitty.

I enjoyed the direction that the story is taking.  The long lost father shows up and I was proud of Loie for giving him grief, but also knowing when to stop.  I get fed up with teens that seem to think the world should bow to them.  I'm intrigued with what the ancients plan to do next, both those who are in favor of a treaty and those who aren't.  I'm also happy to see that Loie decides to spend sometime in the other world.  She's not entirely human, and I think she needs to embrace that side of her.  Plus, I think she might learn more.

Above all, I hope the next book gives us more Cian.  But, I'll be happy to read it even if it doesn't!

  

Review: Winterborne (Universe Unbound) by Augusta Blythe

Title: Winterborne

Author: Augusta Blythe

Series: Hoping 1st in series (Universe Unbound?)

Pages: Not sure only ebook format

Published: Available now

ISBN: B004XW3FE4

Source: Author sent for honest review

 

Description: Sixteen-year old Mia Winterborne is destined to be special. Details are sketchy, though, as her dad disappeared with all the answers when she was five. Mia only knows that she will inherit her kickass superpowers on her seventeenth birthday. Helping Mia prepare for her anticipated ascendancy is Loie Bryce, her best friend and eternal sidekick extraordinaire. The girls' intense friendship has never wavered until now, when Andreas arrives in Salcey Ridge. They both fall hard for the British hottie, who quickly becomes a fixture in their lives. When they discover that Andreas is not who he appears to be, the frightening reality of Mia's powers finally hits home. The nearer Mia's birthday draws, the more the danger escalates and long-buried lies are exposed, putting the girls on a path that they never expected.

I Give This ...
  

I love being surprised by self published books.  Although, I wonder when I enjoy a book as much as I did this one, I wonder why it hasn't been picked up my a publishing company.

I do have to be honest that I wasn't drawn to the story at first.  The story is told from Loie's point of view, and she seems kind of boring at first.  Mia is the star of this story and Loie is content to live in her shadow.  But, the truth of their relationship was actually a lot more complicated than that.  It was more like Mia couldn't help it.  And while it does go to her head once in awhile, she's really just as devoted to Loie and Loie is to her.  I enjoyed the love triangle with Andreas.  I often wondered if he was really in as love with Mia as he appeared.  He really did have some touching moments with Loie that made me wonder.  And I don't think Loie ever fully gave up the idea that one day he might choose her.

I really enjoyed the range of supernatural characters in the story.  It actually reminded me a lot of Carrie Jones Need series.  Only, it's a lot better.  I liked how the story unfolds for us.  While we have the same back story that Mia and Loie do, we get the full facts while they are also learning the truth.  Mia's father didn't really just disappear and Loie's parents' death was more than what it seems.  While many people might be surprised by the twist in the story, I totally saw it coming.  But, it didn't ruin the story for me it all.  It just added to the appeal of it all.

I ended up really liking this story overall.  I'm hoping there will be a sequel because I feel like the characters have more tell.  I also hope that this will get the recognition it deserves, it's well worth the read!